Sheet-metal pipe



(No Model.)

L. J. MUELLER.

SHEET METAL PIPE.

Patented June 12,1883.

UNITED STATES PATENT. O FICE.

LOUIS J. MUELLER, or MILWAUKEEWVISCONSIN.

SH EET-METAL PIPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,494, dated June 12, 1883.

7 Application filed April 4, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS J. MUELLER, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain Improvements in Sheet-Metal Pipes, of which the following is a specification.

The particular aim of my invention is to produce a pipe the blank for which may be readily shipped in a compact form and the pipe completed therefrom by the purchaser without the employmentof tools or mechanical appliances.

To this end it consists of a blank formed by incising and opening the edges of a metal sheet in the manner hereinafter explained, and in the pipe-sections formed therefrom.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a completed pipe -section constructed on my plan. Fig. 2 is a face View of the incised sheet from which the blank is formed. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the completed blank. Figs. 4 and 5 are erossseetions of the pipe on the lines a as, y y, Fig. 1, respectively. Fig. 6 is a faceview illustrating a modified form of the blank.

In proceeding to construct my blank I provide a flat metal sheet, of rectangular form, of such dimensions as the character of the pipe may require. y In one edge of the sheet 1 form, near each end, two incisions, a. a, at right angles, or sub stantially so, to the longitudinal edge of the sheet. form, at right angles to said edge, or substantially so, two incisions, d (I. That portion of the edge lying between the incisions d d, I bend or fold first backward upon the inner face of the sheet, and then forward again, in the peculiar manner represented in Figs. 3 and 4, thus forming along the edge of the sheet an open lip or a groove to receive the opposite edge of the sheet, as hereinafter explained.

It will be observed that the folding back of the edge 6 leaves two projecting portions at the ends of the sheet, as shown in Fig. 3. Through each of these projecting portions I In the opposite edge of the sheet I- form an incision, c, in line transversely of the I The blank formed as above presents the appearance represented in Fig.3, and may be placed in the market either in this condition or after being rolled into a substantially cylindrical form, with its edges still disconnected.

I11 forming the pipe from the blank thus constructed the blank is curled or bent longitudinally into a cylindrical, oval, or polygonal form in cross-section, as may be required, and that portion of the edge which lies between the tongues b is inserted within the grooved lip c on the opposite edge, as plainly represented in Figs. 1 and 4:. At the same time that this operation is effected the tongues b are inserted through the openings or incisions 0, preferably from the inside outward. The edges being now forced closely together, the projecting ends of the tongues 01' lips b are folded backward upon the outer surface, as represented in Figs. 1 and 5, thus locking the edges firmly together and completing the pipe.

WVhile it is preferred to construct the tongues 1) upon the opposite edge of the sheet from the lip (2, they may be in special cases placed upon thesame edge, as represented in Fig. 6. Under ordinary circumstances Iprefer to construct the tongues I) and incisions c in the form represented; but they may be modified in form in various ways, which will readily suggest themselves to the skilled me chanic, without essentially changing their mode of action or departing from the limits of my invention.

The ends may be beaded or crimped, as usual.

Having thus described I claim is 1. The blank for a pipe, consisting of the rectangular metal sheet having in one edge transverse incision (1, and in the opposite my invention, what edge longitudinal incisions (1 and transverse incisions d, in substantially the positions set forth.

2. The finished blank for sheet-metal pipe,

consisting of a rectangular sheet provided shown, and secured by tongues formed on with the open lipalong one edge, and with the one ec go and seated in incisions in the oppofastening-tongues and incisions to receive said site edge, as shown.

LOUIS JOHN MUELLER. 5 3. The improved sheet-metal pipe consist- \Vitnesses:

ing of a metal sheet having one edge folded E. J. \VAGNER,

over the other in the manner described and FRANKLIN A. BEOHER.

tongues in opposite edges. 

